On Tuesday 12 August, Prof Haymet delivered a pre-recorded video address for the 2025 Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Convention.
Hello everyone.
I’m Professor Tony Haymet, Australia’s Chief Scientist, and I’m pleased to be joining you virtually for this very timely conference.
I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the lands on which this event is being held.
I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.
And I also recognise that for many thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cultivated a deep knowledge of the land and its foods.
It is knowledge we continue to learn from.
Fittingly, your conference is in National Science Week. That’s a busy time for me, which is why I can’t be with you in person.
But I am delighted to officially open this conference, because science has never been more critical to food production – and food production has never been more critical for humanity.
In these brief remarks, I want to touch on the impact of your work – and how it also relates to Australia’s wider scientific and economic goals.
Truth be told, it’s hard to overstate the importance of Australia’s collective efforts in food science and technology.
It nourishes our families – and our economy – and helps to feed more than 8-billion people on this planet.
In fact, food production is something we do exceptionally well as a country – and at a scale and quality that is the envy of many nations.
You can take significant credit for that.
However, we cannot rest on our laurels, because the world faces serious challenges that require serious science – and Australia's concerted input.
We are dealing with water shortages, unpredictable climate patterns, and other complex issues.
But Australia is stepping up to the challenge, and so too, your sector.
Australia is helping to feed a rising world population, while also trying to reduce environmental harm associated with some food production.
It is contributing to more sustainable and resilient production processes – and they’re delivering nutritious, safe and affordable food.
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When it comes to our economy, the impact of food science and technology is equally great.
It helps to boost Australia’s productivity and support the aims of programs like the Future Made in Australia initiative.
I also want to touch on the part you play when it comes to Australia’s scientific objectives.
The government last year released its National Science and Research Priorities.
When you reflect on your work, I hope you see the contribution you are making to some – or all – of these five overarching national objectives:
- supporting healthy and thriving communities
- building a secure and resilient nation
- protecting and restoring our environment
- elevating Indigenous knowledge systems
- and – transitioning to net zero.
In our pursuit of net zero, one of the most powerful tools we have is reducing methane from agriculture.
Australia has committed to net zero by 2050, and a new 2035 target is on the horizon.
Now, these aren’t just figures – they are a call to action. And science is answering that call.
Methane from cattle and sheep makes up about 70% of agricultural emissions – and over 13% of our national total.
But here’s the good news: we’re already leading the world in solutions.
One notable innovation is a native seaweed that, when added to cattle feed, reduces methane emissions.
Other innovative solutions – such as probiotic bacteria – are also in the works.
These examples aren’t just climate solutions. They can boost food productivity, improve animal health, and support farm profitability.
Examples like this are about more than methane. I mention them because they are about Australia leading in climate-smart agriculture and food production.
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In so many ways, science has never played such a transformative role in Australia’s food production.
It is boosting productivity – that feeds a hungry world – and supporting sustainability that helps to protect a fragile planet.
Your collective work – directly and indirectly – supports those endeavours.
And invariably, it is collaborative work.
Events like this conference foster those partnerships and the sharing of knowledge.
That, in turn, drives innovation and improvement – leading to more sustainable and higher production.
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As I said at the beginning, I am grateful for the opportunity to address you today – and grateful for the important work you do across Australia.
A lot of your work is done behind the scenes and won’t be immediately visible to many people when they sit down to eat their dinner tonight.
But your collective efforts – be they visible or invisible – are critical to our nation and its future.
Thank you – and have a great conference!
(ends)